Over the last several weeks, we have looked at how leadership grows and flourishes during a crisis. Many of the great D-Day leaders began their journey at the bottom. However, through their ability to assume responsibility, they were able to achieve victory. Additionally, we realized that those who had the ability to react quickly and think on their feet became leaders because their situations forced them to be so.
In this final installment, we are going to take a look at what united the leaders on D-Day and what continues to unite leaders today. Like the D-Day leaders, great leaders in business must have a vision and must be able to see past the day-to-day tasks and minor complications that arise. They must always look beyond what the day will bring and remain focused on the possibilities and potential in tomorrow.
Dwight Eisenhower said, "Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it." As a leader, it is your job to create your organization’s vision. Once you have done this, your job becomes ensuring the execution and implementation of that vision. You need to become a role model that others believe in and want to follow.
Your vision should be: clear, concise, long term, pro-active, and challenging to inspire others to act. Without your team believing, your vision cannot succeed.
It all sounds pretty straightforward, but In order to motivate others to share in that vision, great leaders need some base tools in their arsenal, like:
1. Self-confidence
Self-confidence is the essential base from which leadership grows and a vision is born. True leadership requires the ability make and believe in their decisions. If a leader is afraid to make and commit to decisions, they cannot motivate others to follow. Confidence to make the tough choices allows leaders to establish authority while also increasing and inspiring open lines of communication. Allowing your team to see your commitment and dedication inspires them to help make your vision a reality.
Note: Â Your employees will not become passionate if you can't present your vision with confidence. Remember, when a leader shows confidence, it makes it easier to trust that leader, and people want to work with leaders they trust. Self-confident leaders are easy to follow because their words and actions are aligned and consistent with their vision.
2. Courage
Courage begins when you are able to shift the focus from doing things right to doing the right things. This involves transparency and patience. This type of courage is not inherited; it requires you to take time and reflect on all of the choices you have made and to look closely at future choices. Aristotle called courage the first virtue because it makes all of the other virtues possible. Think about all the traits you want in a leader, such as integrity, honesty, altruism, communications skill, and decisiveness. Whether it is on a battlefield or in a board room, leaders could not display these traits if they didn’t have courage.
Note:Â With less fear and more courage, you will inspire your employees to take on larger and harder projects, deal better with change, and speak up more willingly about important issues.
3. Integrity
Integrity means always telling the truth. You have to mean what you say and say what you mean - no matter what the outcome will be. It does not mean that you do not make mistakes; it means you learn from mistakes and continually improve. You admit your shortcomings and work on developing your strengths and compensate for your weaknesses. No matter what, you remain straightforward with people and situations and you do not compromise what you believe to be true. Integrity means living up to one’s word, delivering on promises made, and maintaining alignment of beliefs and actions.  For example, do not promise your employees benefits such as extra vacation days or a raise and then renege. These are the people that trust you and if you let them down, they will lose faith in you.
Note:Â Integrity is how you gain trust; without trust, you most likely will not find people who are interested in following your lead. Remember, it is your job to inspire others to help you turn your vision for collective success into a reality.
Leaders think about the future, continually envisioning and planning for the possibilities while enlisting others to share the vision. This attribute unites and distinguishes leaders from non-leaders. Without a vision, real leadership is not possible. The only visions that take hold are shared visions that are built on self-confidence, courage, and integrity.